Mendelsohn would not comment on any specifics, but we've heard that the painting already is complete, and that the well-known artist Gottfried Helnwein did it. Schwarzenegger is fond of Helnwein's work, and had his landscape painting of the Mojave Desert hanging in the governor's office.

It was a week of festivities and ceremonies at the Capitol, with the swearing-in of the new Legislature and the lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree. Even Gov. Jerry Brown was in the holiday mood, singing along to "Frosty the Snowman" with the tree-lighting crowd.

All this raises a question about what may be the most anticipated ceremonial event yet to happen: the hanging of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's official portrait.

All of California's governors have portraits at the Capitol, with some of the most prominent former governors (like Earl Warren and Pat Brown) hanging in spots that get a lot of public foot traffic.Portraits of the more recent governors - Ronald Reagan, a younger Jerry Brown, George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson and Gray Davis - are together on the third floor at the top of the grand twin staircases.

So when do we get to see Schwarzenegger return to the Capitol?

Adam Mendelsohn, Schwarzenegger's spokesman, said the former governor's team has talked about it, but a date hasn't been set yet, mostly because he's been so busy with films. Schwarzenegger has three movies due out next year.

Schwarzenegger hasn't even been back to Sacramento since leaving office, Mendelsohn said.

The former governor has been busy lately with other projects, too. His people announced this week that he will be the executive producer for a Showtime documentary on climate change. Related to that, the United Nations Correspondents Association is giving Schwarzenegger the 2012 Advocate of the Year award this month for his work to address climate change at the subnational level.

Mendelsohn would not comment on any specifics, but we've heard that the painting already is complete, and that the well-known artist Gottfried Helnwein did it. Schwarzenegger is fond of Helnwein's work, and had his landscape painting of the Mojave Desert hanging in the governor's office.

"When the portrait is unveiled, then all the information will be available," Mendelsohn said. He said that probably would happen sometime in 2013.

Helnwein and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Capitol in Sacramento